Can You Get Cyanide Poisoning From Eating Almonds?

Can You Get Cyanide Poisoning From Eating Almonds?

Can You Get Cyanide Poisoning From Eating Almonds?
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Updated on August 7, 2025
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Almonds are rich in healthy fats and offer nutrients like vitamin E, biotin, fiber, calcium, and magnesium.

But you may have heard that almonds also contain cyanide, a fast-acting chemical found in the pits and seeds of some fruits. Cyanide could affect your body’s ability to use oxygen. Exposure to large amounts of cyanide could result in loss of consciousness or even death.

While it’s true that almonds do contain cyanide, the sweet almonds you buy at the grocery store have only trace amounts of the chemical. Bitter almonds, on the other hand, contain much more cyanide and could be dangerous.

Read on to learn about the cyanide levels in sweet and bitter almonds, plus the reasons almonds are beneficial for your health.

Sweet Almonds and Cyanide

Cyanide poisoning is unlikely if you’re buying almonds grown in the United States and sold at your local grocery store. These almonds are known as sweet almonds.

Due to a genetic mutation in the plants that produce sweet almonds, the defense mechanism that leads to the release of cyanide is largely “turned off.”

This means that sweet almonds contain only trace levels of cyanide, around 25.2 milligrams (mg) of cyanide per kilogram (kg) of weight.

For reference, 1 kg is equal to 35 ounces. A typical serving size of almonds is only 1 ounce (about 23 almonds), meaning it contains about 0.72 mg of cyanide.

A lethal dose of cyanide is 0.5 to 3.5 mg per kg of body weight.

So if you weigh 150 pounds, you would need to ingest 34 mg of cyanide to reach the minimum lethal dose — which equals about 47 ounces, or 1,086 almonds.

Bitter Almonds and Cyanide

Bitter almonds produce cyanide alongside a chemical called benzaldehyde as a defense mechanism when a predator bites into the nut. This is responsible for the almonds’ bitter taste.

Bitter almonds contain 50 times more cyanide per kilogram than sweet almonds. Eating 50 bitter almonds can be deadly for adults. Even 5 to 10 bitter almonds could be fatal for a child.

In one case report, a 36-year-old woman ate 40 bitter almonds and experienced symptoms of cyanide poisoning, including vomiting, confusion, and loss of consciousness.

Bitter almonds aren’t grown or typically sold in the United States, but you may encounter them elsewhere in the world or even on online marketplaces.
And though rare, imported sweet almonds may sometimes be mislabeled. For example, in 2014, Whole Foods recalled organic raw almonds due to high levels of cyanide. Upon inspection, it turned out these almonds from Spain and Italy weren’t sweet almonds but bitter ones.

If you’re concerned about cyanide poisoning, stick to buying U.S.-grown almonds. And always talk with a doctor if you eat almonds that taste bitter and experience any symptoms of cyanide poisoning, explained in more detail in the next section.

Dangers of Cyanide Poisoning

Cyanide works rapidly and may be deadly. It blocks oxygen from your cells, causing them to die.

Symptoms of cyanide poisoning may include:

  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness
  • Abdominal cramping
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Altered or loss of consciousness
  • Seizures
  • Shortness of breath
  • Rapid, shallow breathing
  • Disruption of heart rhythm
  • Low blood pressure

Severe cyanide poisoning may lead to respiratory arrest (when breathing stops) or even death.

If you think you may have cyanide poisoning, go to the nearest emergency room right away. The only treatment for cyanide poisoning is a specific antidote, which is most effective when given as soon as possible after ingestion of bitter almonds.

Nutritional Benefits of Almonds

Don’t let the minuscule amount of cyanide in sweet almonds stop you from including these healthy nuts in your diet. They contain nutrients as well as filling fiber and protein.

In fact, research has linked the frequent consumption of almonds to a reduced risk of various diseases, including obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.

Almonds may also help support your gut microbiome, lower your cholesterol, and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Adults can aim to eat four to six servings per week of unsalted nuts as part of a balanced diet. It’s best to choose raw or dry-roasted nuts rather than those cooked in oil.

If you don’t enjoy whole almonds, you can try drinking almond milk or eating almond butter. Just be sure to choose varieties without added sugar or other sweeteners if possible.

The Takeaway

  • Sweet almonds found in grocery stores contain only trace amounts of cyanide, making them safe to consume in typical servings.
  • On the other hand, bitter almonds contain significantly higher cyanide levels. They can be lethal if consumed in large quantities, so it’s recommended to avoid them.
  • Embracing a moderate intake of sweet almonds as part of a balanced diet can provide numerous health benefits, such as supporting heart health and gut health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Almonds. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
  2. Cyanide: Chemical Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. September 6, 2024.
  3. Chaouali N et al. Potential Toxic Levels of Cyanide in Almonds (Prunus Amygdalus), Apricot Kernels (Prunus Armeniaca), and Almond Syrup. ISRN Toxicology. September 19, 2013.
  4. Lewis R. How a Mutation Turned Almonds from Toxin to Treat. PLOS Blogs - DNA Science. July 18, 2019.
  5. Whole Foods Raw Almonds Recalled for High Levels of Natural Chemical. Food Safety News. November 9, 2014.
  6. Schaffer DH et al. Cyanide Toxicity. StatPearls. February 22, 2025.
  7. Barreca D et al. Almonds (Prunus Dulcis Mill. D. A. Webb): A Source of Nutrients and Health-Promoting Compounds. Nutrients. March 1, 2020.
  8. Nuts and Your Heart: Eating Nuts for Heart Health. Mayo Clinic. November 15, 2023.
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Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES

Medical Reviewer

Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She completed requirements to become a registered dietitian at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois, in 1988. 

Lynn brings her expertise in nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to her work in helping people reach their individual health and fitness goals. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press. She has a passion for healthy, nutrient-dense, great-tasting food and for being outdoors as much as possible — she can often be found running or hiking, and has completed a marathon in every state.

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Jill Corleone is a registered dietitian and health coach who has been writing and lecturing on diet and health for more than 15 years. Her work has been featured on the Huffington Post, Diabetes Self-Management and in the book "Noninvasive Mechanical Ventilation," edited by John R. Bach, M.D. Corleone holds a Bachelor of Science in nutrition.

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